Deflection resistant electrical enclosure

ABSTRACT

An electrical enclosure for use in poured concrete construction having a peripheral wall with opposed longitudinally extending walls longer than opposed laterally extending walls and at least one physical support located substantially midpoint along the opposed longitudinally extended walls to resist deflection of the opposed longitudinal walls caused by the hydraulic pressure of concrete poured around the enclosure. The physical support can be a crossbar extending across the opening of the electrical enclosure with the ends of the crossbar fixed to the longitudinally extending walls. The physical support can also be fastening sleeves extending along at least a portion of the width of the longitudinal walls for receiving elongated fasteners which extend into the concrete form thereby resisting deflection of the opposed longitudinally extending walls.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of a patent application Ser. No.12/285,205 filed Sep. 30, 2008 and claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. 120.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electrical enclosures, such as anelectrical boxes and adapters therefor. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to electrical enclosures for use in poured concreteconstruction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the field to have electrical enclosures for use in pouredconcrete construction, and other forms of construction, where theelectrical enclosures are put in place and connected to other electricalenclosures with electrical non-metallic tubing (ENT) prior to concretebeing poured. Concrete is then poured to form the concrete walls of thestructure, and, the concrete also forms around the electrical enclosureand the electrical non-metallic tubing (ENT). The electrical enclosuresinclude electrical boxes, sometimes referred to as “electrical mudboxes”, and adapters therefor.

Typically, the concrete forms into which the concrete is poured may beseveral feet high, such as 6 to 10 feet high, representing the height ofa concrete wall that is poured at any one time. For example, this mayrepresent the concrete being poured for one level or floor in abuilding. Because of this height, and because of the density of theconcrete, the poured concrete can develop significant hydraulicpressure. This hydraulic pressure acts on the sides of the electricalenclosure and may deflect the side walls of the electrical enclosures.Such a deflection can deform the electrical enclosure thereby limitingor inhibiting its use. Once an electrical enclosure is deflected suchthat an electrical device cannot fit within the opening, the box isgenerally no longer salvageable.

It is understood that once the concrete is formed, the electricalenclosure may be used to house switches, electrical receptacles andother components. The electrical enclosure may also be used to house ortransport electrical cables or can be used simply as a junction box ofvarious electrical cables travelling through electrical non-metallictubing (ENT). The electrical enclosure may also be an adapter, such asan adapter to give a double electrical box a smaller opening, and, inthis case it is appreciated that the dimensions of the adapter representa principal characteristic of the enclosure.

In general, electrical enclosures are made of metals, or plasticmaterials, both of which are sturdy, but not necessarily intended tosupport large external forces. It is not unusual, because of thehydraulic pressure caused by both the height of the concrete walls, andalso the density of the concrete, for the walls of the electricalenclosure to be deflected up to ⅛″ on both sides of the electricalenclosure causing a total deformation of up to ¼″. It is appreciatedthat as the electrical enclosure are deflected, their usefulnessdecreases as it may not be possible to insert the proper components intothe electrical enclosure or the electrical enclosure may not besufficiently large to permit the proper electrical components or cablesto be properly housed. It is also appreciated that the proximity ofvarious electrical components within an electrical enclosure is best notto be minimized.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved electricalenclosure for use with poured concrete, which prevents, or at leastresists, deflection while concrete is poured so as to permit easy accessto the cavity of the electrical enclosure after the concrete has curedand the forms have been removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partiallyovercome some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is anobject of this invention to provide an improved type of electricalenclosure which resists deflection caused by poured concrete.Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in anelectrical enclosure for use in poured concrete construction, saidelectrical enclosure comprising: a peripheral wall defining a cavity,said peripheral wall having opposed longitudinally extending walls andopposed laterally extending walls; at least one physical support locatedalong each opposed longitudinally extending wall to resist deflection ofthe opposed longitudinally extending walls during pouring of theconcrete around said electrical enclosure.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides acrossbar extending across the opening of an electrical enclosure tocreate a physical lateral support resisting deflection of thelongitudinal walls. The crossbar, in one embodiment, is formed in anadapter, but could also be formed in an electrical box. The crossbaradvantageously is integrally formed with the electrical enclosure tothereby resist lateral movement of the longitudinally extending walls,and, simplify use in the field.

In a further embodiment, the physical supports comprise fastener sleevesextending along at least a portion of the width of the longitudinalwalls, either on the outside or inside of the walls. The sleeves mayreceive an elongated fastener which can extend into the concrete form.In this way, the elongated fasteners will both fix the electricalenclosure to the form, as well as provide lateral support for thelongitudinally extending walls at substantially the midpoint thereof toresist deflection. Additional fastening sleeves may be located at otherlocations along the peripheral wall to affix the electrical enclosure tothe form. More preferably, the fastener sleeves have an opening forreceiving the fasteners, which openings are substantially flush with therear surface of the enclosure to facilitate insertion of the elongatedfastener member.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description and drawings, which illustrate theinvention and preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows an electrical enclosure according to one embodiment of thepresent invention which, in this embodiment, is an adapter mating withan electrical box;

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of the adapter electricalenclosure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a rear elevational view of the adapter electrical enclosureshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an adapter electrical enclosure according to one embodimentof the present invention engaged to a box body and attached to a form;

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of an electrical enclosureaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention which, inthis embodiment, is an electrical box;

FIG. 6 shows a rear elevational view of the electrical enclosure, shownin FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the electrical enclosure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 installedon a form using elongated fasteners according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an electrical enclosure according toa further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the electrical enclosure shown inFIG. 8 with the movable member in the inserted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages can beunderstood by referring to the present drawings. In the presentdrawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of theaccompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention relates toan electrical enclosure, shown generally by reference numeral 10 inFIG. 1. In this embodiment, the electrical enclosure 10 is an adapter20. However, it is understood that the electrical enclosure 10 of thisinvention is not restricted to an adapter 20, but can be any other typeof electrical enclosure 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the case wherethe electrical enclosure 10 is an adapter 20, it may be adapted toengage with an opening 2 of a box body, shown generally by referencenumeral 1 in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the adapter 20 hasopening 300 which, in this embodiment, corresponds to the opening sizeof a single gang box. It is understood that in this context, a singlegang box refers to an opening size to fit a single electrical element,such as one receptacle or one switch, according to current buildingstandards and building codes in North America. It is also understoodthat different sized openings 300 can be used depending on theapplication as well as the jurisdiction and the corresponding buildingcodes, and, that these may change over time.

The electrical box body 1 in FIG. 1 is a double electrical box bodyintegrally formed ENT connector openings 3. It is understood that ENT(not shown) would be attached to the openings 3 when the adapter 20 andelectrical box body 1 are attached to a form 30 as shown in FIG. 4, and,the openings 3 may have knock out plastic covers (not shown) as is knownin the art which may be removed to permit communication between the ENTand the box body 1.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical enclosure 10 according to this embodiment ofthe invention in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the electricalenclosure 10, which in this case is an adapter 20, has a peripheral wall100 which extends around the opening 300.

The peripheral wall 100 defines a cavity 120. The cavity 120, in thiscase, has opening 300 on the front surface 150 and an opening 301 in therear surface 160. It is understood that in alternate embodiments, thecavity 120 may be closed and not have an opening in the rear surface160.

The adapter 20 also comprises at least one physical support, identifiedgenerally by reference numeral 200 in FIG. 2, along each of the opposedlongitudinally extending walls 131, 132. Preferably, the at least onephysical support 200 is located substantially midpoint, as shown by thedashed lines 136, 137 in FIGS. 2 and 3, along each longitudinallyextending wall 131, 132. In a preferred embodiment, the at least onephysical support 200 comprises a member 210 having opposed ends 221,222. Each of the ends, 221, 222 is fixed to a corresponding opposedlongitudinal wall 131, 132 at substantially midpoint 136, 137 along eachopposed longitudinal wall 131, 132 to better prevent internal deflectionof opposed longitudinal walls 131, 132. The member 210 may be anyphysical member which resists deflection of the opposed longitudinalextending walls 131, 132. In this preferred embodiment, the member 210can be any physical device located within the opening 300 of theelectrical enclosure 10 to prevent internal deflection of the opposedlongitudinal walls 131, 132.

In a further preferred embodiment, the member 210 extends from oneopposed longitudinal wall 131 to the other longitudinal wall 132 in adirection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal wall 131, 132as illustrated, for instance, in FIG. 2. It is appreciated that this maybe the most efficient shape the member 210 may take because it passesdirectly across the opening 300. However, other shapes, such astriangular, oval, U-shaped or diamond shaped could also be useddepending on the application and to best accommodate the electricalcomponent to be inserted in the cavity 120 of the enclosure 10. Theshape of the member 210 is also selected so as to resist deflection ofthe opposed longitudinally extending walls 131, 132. It is alsounderstood that after the concrete has been poured and it has hardened,the hydraulic pressure will essentially cease. At this point, the member210 can be removed, such as by breaking, cutting, burning or melting themember 210 from the electrical enclosure 10. Therefore, the shape of themember 210 need not affect the later use of the enclosure 10. The shapeof the member 210 also need not affect insertion of an electricalelement into the electrical enclosure 10.

Preferably, the member 210 is integrally formed with the electricalenclosure 10. In a further preferred embodiment, the member 210 and theelectrical enclosure 10 are moulded of plastic material. Still morepreferably, the member 210 is formed by the same mould at the same timethat the adapter 10 is made.

In a further preferred embodiment, the member 210 may be a crossbar,illustrated by reference numeral 230 in FIG. 2. The crossbar 230 can bein the shape of a bar extending across the opening 300 as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. In this preferred embodiment, the crossbar has a crossbarthickness 270 and a crossbar width 271.

The peripheral wall 100 preferably has opposed longitudinally extendingwalls 131 and 132. The opposed longitudinal walls, in this embodiment,are longer than the opposed lateral walls 141, 142. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the adapter opening 300 may be rectangular in shape such thatthe longitudinal walls 131, 132 are longer than the shorter lateralwalls 141, 142.

Bosses 121 may project inwardly of the cavity 120 to facilitatefastening of the switches, receptacles and other components within theenclosure 10. The bosses 121 preferably project from the lateral walls141, 142 and are aligned on a longitudinal axis A_(L), which intersectsthe crossbar 230. The bosses 121 have fastener receiving holes 122 toreceive the fasteners (not shown) that attach a switch, receptacle orother component within the enclosure 10. The fasteners (not shown) maybe nails, screws or other fasteners which can mate with the holes 122.

In general, the bosses 121 for fastening the electrical components arelocated on the lateral walls 141, 142. Accordingly, in this embodiment,it is preferred that the member 210 is not located on the lateral walls141, 142 so as not to interfere with the bosses 121. This will alsolessen the interference of the member 210 with the insertion ofelectrical components into the enclosure after the concrete has beenpoured.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opposed longitudinal walls 131, 132have a wall width, illustrated generally by reference numeral 170, whichseparate the front surface 150 (FIG. 2) from the rear surface 160 (FIG.3). The rear surface 160 may optionally have a raised ridge 161, orother element, which facilitates the engagement of the adapter 20 to theelectrical box 1. As also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the crossbar 230has a thickness 270, which is preferably less than the wall width 170 ofthe longitudinal walls 131, 132. As also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,the crossbar 230 is nearer the front surface 150 than the rear surface160. This is preferred, for example, because more of the hydraulic forcefrom the poured concrete would tend to apply to the front surface 150than the rear surface 160. In particular, in the case where theelectrical enclosure 10 is an adapter 20, the rear surface 160 may bemuch larger in shape, thereby decreasing the hydraulic force. Theadapter 20 may have raised ridges 161 to engage the opening 2 and whichraised ridges 161 further support the rear surface 160. Furthermore, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the opposed longitudinal walls 131, 132 may haveconcave sloping surfaces 310 along the wall width 170 to adapt thedouble gang electrical box opening 2 to the single gang box opening 300.These concave sloping surfaces 310 may also assist in redirecting thehydraulic forces due to their concave shapes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crossbar 230 is situated across thesingle gang box opening 300 substantially midpoint 136 the opposedlongitudinally extending walls 131, 132. This defines a first frontentrance opening 301 and a second front entrance opening 302 at thefront surface 150. The first front entrance opening 301 and the secondfront entrance opening 302 are separated by the member 210 which, inthis preferred embodiment, is the crossbar 230. The first front entranceopening 301 and the second front entrance opening 302 may also have aremovable cover (not shown) which prevents entry of concrete and otherbuilding products, and also dirt, into the cavity 120. The removablecovers may be removed after the concrete has been poured leaving thecrossbar 230 extending between the opposed longitudinal walls 131, 132.The crossbar 230 may also be removed, such as by cutting, breaking,burning or melting after the concrete has been poured and it hashardened.

FIG. 4 illustrates the electrical enclosure 10 which, in thisembodiment, is the adapter 20 assembled with the electrical box 1 andattached to a form 30. In this embodiment, the adapter 20 is attached tothe form 30 using elongated fasteners 31 passing through fastenersleeves 32. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, theelongated fasteners 31 are nails 33 and the fastener sleeves 32 are nailsleeves 36 through which the nails 33 pass into the form 30.

The ENT connector openings 3 of the box body 1 are also shown in FIG. 4.While not illustrated in FIG. 4, it is understood that one or more ENTs(not shown) would extend from one or more of the openings 3. Once allother building requirements have been addressed, including reinforcingbars and any other structural elements that must be in place, concretewill be poured into the spaces created by form 30 and, correspondingforms (not shown) to create a concrete wall. During pouring of theconcrete, the at least one physical element 200, which in thisembodiment comprises the crossbar 230, will resist deflection of thelongitudinal walls 131, 132. After the concrete has been cured, the form30 will be removed exposing the opening 300.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the electrical enclosure 10which, in this case, is an electrical box body shown generally byreference numeral 500. More specifically, the electrical box body 500 isa single gang box meaning that it is sized to fit a single electricalelement. As stated above, with respect to the adapter 20, the singlegang box body 500 may have various dimensions depending on thejurisdiction and the building codes and electrical codes in effect inthe particular jurisdiction and at the particular time. Furthermore, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrical box body 500 has a frontsurface 150 with an opening 600 and a rear surface 160 which isenclosed. The electrical box body 500 also may have ENT connectors 3 asdiscussed above.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the enclosure 10 according to this embodimenthas peripheral walls 600 which define a cavity 620. The peripheral walls600 have opposed first and second longitudinally extending walls 631,632 and opposed laterally extending walls 641, 642. Bosses 621 projectinwardly to the cavity 620 from each of the laterally extending walls641, 642. The bosses 621 have holes 622 to receive fasteners (not shown)that fasten electrical elements, such as switches or receptacles, withinthe enclosure 10 as discussed above with respect to the bosses 121.

The longitudinal walls 631, 632 and the lateral walls 641, 642 intersectat intersections shown generally by reference numerals 901, 902, 903 and904 in FIG. 6. Each of the intersections 901, 902, 903 and 904 also haveear tabs 910 extending diagonally therefrom for facilitating fasteningof the electrical box 500 into position.

The longitudinally extending walls 631, 632 have midpoints shown bydashed lines 636, 637 in FIGS. 5 and 6. The longitudinally extendingwalls also have a width, shown generally by reference numeral 770, whichseparates the front surface 150 from the rear surface 160.

In this embodiment, the at least one physical support 200 comprises afirst fastening mechanism, represented by reference numeral 701 locatedalong the first longitudinal wall 631 and a second fastening mechanism702 located along the second longitudinally extending wall 632. Thefirst and second fastening mechanisms 701, 702 are preferably located atsubstantially the midpoint 636, 637 of the longitudinally extendingwalls 631, 632. The first and second fastening mechanism 701, 702 fastenthe first longitudinal wall 631 and a second longitudinal wall 632,respectively, to the concrete form 30 as illustrated in FIG. 7. In thisway, the first and second fastening mechanism 701, 702 fasten thelongitudinal walls 631, 632 to the form 30 substantially at the midpoint636, 637 and thereby resist deflection of the longitudinal walls 631,632 during pouring of the concrete around the electrical enclosure 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the first fastening mechanism 701 comprises afirst fastener sleeve 721, which extends along at least a portion of thewidth 770 of the first longitudinal wall 631. The second fasteningmechanism 702 preferably comprises a second fastener sleeve 722extending along at least a portion of the width 770 of the secondlongitudinal wall 632. The first and second fastener sleeves 721, 722receive first and second elongated fasteners, illustrated generally byreference numeral 531 in FIG. 6, which pass through the fastener sleeves721, 722 and extend into the form 30. The elongated fasteners 531 willgenerally be forced into the form 30. The fasteners 531 pass through thefastener sleeves 721, 722 and extending into the form 30 to resistdeflection of the opposed longitudinally extending wall 631, 632 bylaterally supporting the first and second longitudinal walls 631, 632 atsubstantially their midpoint 636, 637. This is illustrated, forinstance, in FIG. 7 where the elongated members 531 are shown insertedinto the first and second fastener sleeves 721, 722.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the first fastener sleeve 721 has a firstfastener opening 711 for receiving the elongated fastener 531. In apreferred embodiment, the first fastener opening 711 is substantiallyflush with the rear surface 160. This facilitates the quick insertion ofthe elongated member 531 into the first opening 711. Also, it ispreferable that the first fastener sleeve 721 extends from the rearsurface 160 for a distance which is greater than one half of the width770 of the first longitudinal opening 636. It is preferred that thefirst fastener sleeve 721 does not extend completely to the frontsurface 150 in order to avoid the appearance of the first fastenersleeve when the form 30 is removed. As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7,it is also preferred that the first fastener sleeve 721 extend in adirection perpendicular to the direction of the first longitudinal wall631. As also illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the fastener sleeve 721 isoriented on the outer surface 650 of the box body 500. In this way,sleeve 721 does not occupy space in the cavity 620 that could be used tohouse electrical components and cables.

The second fastener sleeve 722 has a similar construction to the firstfastener sleeve 721. In particular, the second fastener sleeve 721extends from the rear surface 160 for a distance greater than one halfthe width 770 of the second longitudinal wall. Furthermore, the secondfastener sleeve 722 comprises a second fastener opening 712 forreceiving a further elongated fastener 531. The second fastener opening712 is also preferably substantially flush with the rear surface 160 tofacilitate entry of the elongated member to the second fastener opening712. Furthermore, it is preferred that the fastener sleeve 722 does notextend to the front surface 150 in order to provide a smaller profile tothe form 300 when it is removed. In a further preferred embodiment, thesecond fastener sleeve 722 extends perpendicularly to the secondlongitudinal wall 632 and is oriented on the outer surface 650 of thebox 500.

It is possible that the electrical box body 500 may be securely fastenedto the form 300 merely with the elongated members 531 in the first andsecond fastener sleeves 721, 722. However, in a preferred embodiment,additional fastener sleeves 723, 724 are provided. These third andfourth fastener sleeves 723, 724 are located along the peripheral wall600 and have openings 713, 714, which are flush with the rear surface160 also to facilitate receiving additional elongated fasteners 531, asshown best in FIG. 7. In a further preferred embodiment, the third andfourth fastener sleeves 723, 724 are each located at one of the fourintersections 901, 902, 903, 904. More preferably, the third and fourthfastener sleeves 723,724 are located at diagonally opposed intersections902, 904 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This is done to more securely fixthe electrical box body 500 to the form 30 by having the sleeves 721,722, 723, 724 at distant positions along the peripheral wall 600. Thisalso facilitates resisting any torque that may be applied to theelectrical box body 500. As also illustrated in FIG. 6, when the thirdand fourth fastener sleeves 723, 724 are located at on or more of theintersections 901, 902, 903, 904, the sleeves 723, 724 will also beintegrally formed with at least two of the ear tabs 910.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the present invention having twophysical supports, identified by reference numerals 200 and 200A. The atleast one physical support 200 corresponds to the fastening mechanisms701 and 702 (not shown in FIG. 8) discussed above. The further physicalsupport 200A comprises a movable member, shown generally by referencenumeral 810. The movable member 810 is movable to and from an insertedposition in the cavity 620 of the electrical enclosure 800 shown in FIG.9. It is understood that the movable member 810 need not necessarily beused in conjunction with the fastening mechanism 701, 702 and each ofthe at least one physical supports 200, 200A may be used individually ortogether.

As also illustrated in FIG. 8, the movable member 810 may have opposedends 821, 822. When the movable member 810 is in the inserted position(shown in FIG. 9), the opposed ends 821, 822 interact with the opposedwalls 631, 632 to resist deflection of the opposed longitudinallyextending walls 631,632 during pouring of the concrete. The movablemember 810 may have any shape, such as circular, oval, spherical,egg-shaped or cubical, which can resist deflection of the opposedlongitudinally extending walls 631, 632. In a preferred embodiment, themovable member 810 is a movable plate, as shown generally by referencenumeral 830, having a width 831 which approximately corresponds to thewidth of the cavity 632. To facilitate insertion and removal of themovable member 810 to and from the cavity 620, at least one longitudinalwall 631, 632 will have a channel, identified by reference numerals 841,842, for receiving the movable plate 830. In this way, the movable plate830 may be inserted into the inserted position during manufacture, or atleast, before the concrete is poured, and, can then be removed from theinserted position after the concrete has been hardened. FIGS. 8 and 9also illustrate the other components of the electrical enclosure 10similar to that discussed with respect to the other embodiment. It isunderstood that these other components perform a similar function inthis embodiment and will not be discussed in further detail at thistime.

It is also understood that reference to “concrete” throughout thisspecification refers to any type of building material which is used toconstruct buildings by flowing a material which can then be cured orotherwise hardened. It is understood that the term “concrete” is notrestricted to any one type of building material, but rather, as used inthis specification, would refer to any type of building material forstructures now in existence or which may be developed in this future forthis function.

It is also understood that the elongated fasteners can be any type offastener that can pass through the sleeves 721, 722 and attach the box500 to the form 30. In particular, the elongated fasteners 531 may benails, screws, or any other type of fastener.

To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer underapplicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearingin the claims section, except for the above defined words, shall take ontheir ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced,inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall not beconsidered to be specially defined in this specification.Notwithstanding this limitation on the inference of “specialdefinitions,” the specification may be used to evidence the appropriate,ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, interalia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), in the situation wherea word or term used in the claims has more than one pre-establishedmeaning and the specification is helpful in choosing between thealternatives.

It will be understood that, although various features of the inventionhave been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments ofthe invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention maybe combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodimentsof the invention as described and illustrated herein.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the inventionincludes all embodiments, which are functional, electrical or mechanicalequivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have beendescribed and illustrated herein.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An electrical enclosurefor use in poured concrete construction, said electrical enclosurecomprising: a peripheral wall defining a cavity, said peripheral wallhaving opposed first and second longitudinally extending walls andopposed laterally extending walls and having a front surface and a rearsurface; a first fastening mechanism for fastening the firstlongitudinal wall to a concrete form, said first fastening mechanismcomprising a first fastener sleeve extending from the rear surface for adistance greater than one half the width of the first longitudinal wall,but less than the width of the first longitudinal wall; a secondfastening mechanism for fastening the second longitudinal wall to theconcrete form, said second fastening mechanism comprising a secondfastener sleeve extending from the rear surface for a distance greaterthan one half the width of the second longitudinal wall, but less thanthe width of the second longitudinal wall; wherein said first and secondfastener sleeves receiving first and second elongated fasteners,respectively.
 2. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid elongated fasteners are passed through the corresponding fastenersleeves and into the concrete form to fasten the first and secondlongitudinal walls, respectively, to the concrete form and to resistdeflection of the opposed longitudinally extending walls during pouringof the concrete by laterally supporting the first and secondlongitudinal walls.
 3. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 1further comprising a member extending from one opposed longitudinal wallto the other longitudinal wall, said member having opposed ends, eachend fixed to a corresponding opposed longitudinal wall.
 4. Theelectrical enclosure as defined in claim 3 wherein the member isintegrally formed in one piece with the opposed longitudinal walls. 5.The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 4 wherein said enclosureand said member are moulded of plastic material.
 6. The electricalenclosure as defined in claim 5 wherein the member is a crossbarintegrally formed with the electrical enclosure.
 7. The electricalenclosure as defined in claim 3 wherein the opposed longitudinal wallshave a wall width from a front surface to a rear surface; and where themember is integrally formed with the electrical enclosure and has athickness which is less than the width of the longitudinal walls.
 8. Theelectrical enclosure as defined in claim 3 wherein the member is nearerthe front surface than the rear surface.
 9. The electrical enclosure asdefined in claim 3 wherein the enclosure is an adapter, and wherein therear surface mates with an electrical box body.
 10. The electricalenclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein said first fastening mechanismis located substantially midpoint the first longitudinal wall.
 11. Theelectrical enclosure as defined in claim 10 wherein the second fasteningmechanism is located substantially midpoint the second longitudinalwall.
 12. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 7 furthercomprising fastening bosses projecting into the cavity from the lateralwalls for fastening an electrical component to be housed in theelectrical enclosure.
 13. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 3wherein the opposed longitudinal walls are longer than the opposedlateral walls.
 14. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 1further comprising a member having opposed ends, each end fixed to acorresponding opposed longitudinal wall at substantially midpoint alongeach opposed longitudinal wall, said member resisting deflection of theopposed longitudinally extending walls.
 15. The electrical enclosure asdefined in claim 1 wherein said first fastener sleeve having a firstfastener opening for receiving the first elongated fastener, said firstfastener opening being substantially flush with the rear surface. 16.The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 15 wherein the secondfastener sleeve comprises a second fastener opening for receiving thesecond elongated fastener, said second fastener opening beingsubstantially flush with the rear surface.
 17. The electrical enclosureas defined in claim 1 further comprising a third fastening mechanismcomprising a third fastener sleeve located along the peripheral wall,said third fastener sleeve having a third opening for receiving a thirdelongated fastener.
 18. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 17further comprising a fourth fastening mechanism comprising a fourthfastener sleeve located along the peripheral wall, said fourth fastenersleeve having a fourth opening substantially flush with the rear surfacefor receiving a fourth elongated fastener; and wherein the thirdfastener sleeves and the fourth fastener sleeve are located atintersections of the lateral walls and the longitudinal walls.
 19. Theelectrical enclosure as defined in claim 17 further comprising ear tabsextending diagonally from each of the intersections; and wherein atleast one ear tab is integrally formed with the third fastener sleeve.20. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 15 wherein theenclosure is an electrical box body and the rear surface is enclosed.21. The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 1 further comprising atleast one member extending across the cavity, said member having opposedends, each end fixed to a corresponding opposed longitudinal wall. 22.The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein the first andsecond fastening mechanisms are located externally of the cavity. 23.The electrical enclosure as defined in claim 1 further comprising amovable plate having opposed ends, said plate being insertable into thecavity between the opposed longitudinally extending walls, said opposedends of the plate interacting with the opposed longitudinally extendingwalls to resist deflection thereof.
 24. The electrical enclosure asdefined in claim 23 wherein at least one of the longitudinally extendingwalls comprises a channel for receiving one of the opposed ends of themovable plate; and wherein said at least one channel is locatedinternally of the cavity, and, the movable plate is inserted into thecavity by sliding the one of the opposed ends of the movable plate alongthe at least one channel to the inserted position, and, wherein at theinserted position, the opposed ends of the movable plate abut thelongitudinally extending walls to resist deflection thereof.
 25. Theelectrical enclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least onephysical support further comprises a movable member having opposed endsmovable to and from an inserted position wherein the opposed endsinteract with the opposed longitudinally extending walls to resistdeflection of the opposed longitudinally extending walls, in addition tothe first fastening mechanism for fastening the first longitudinallyextending wall to a concrete form, and, the second fastening mechanismfor fastening the second longitudinally extending wall to a concreteform, said first and second fastening mechanisms being locatedexternally of the cavity, and, along the first and second longitudinallyextending walls, respectively.